The Weather Channel is reporting that it could take Asheville, North Carolina and other communities devastated by Hurricane Helene years to recover. The hurricane and catastrophic flooding and tornadoes have killed at least 145 people in six states.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has ordered Columbia-based Missouri Task Force One (MO-TF1) to deploy seven human remains detection K-9s and their handlers to North Carolina. The team left Columbia Tuesday afternoon and traveled to St. Louis Lambert, where they flew to Charlotte, North Carolina. They are in Charlotte this (Wednesday) morning and will receive their morning assignment soon.
Boone County Fire Protection District assistant chief Gale Blomenkamp tells 939 the Eagle that there are now 70 Missouri Task Force One members in North Carolina. Mr. Blomenkamp says MO-TF1 has done 567 damage assessments in the region, evaluating roads, bridges, structures and critical infrastructure. He says access to many areas is still challenging, due to debris and washed-out roads.
The Missouri Task Force One members are in McDowell County, west of Marion, North Carolina.
